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Finley Comes Clean

Over the last two years, I've made no secret about the fact that I am a monster Jermichael Finley fan. I think the kid has what it takes to be a special player for the Packers. Of course, the big worry with Finley has always been his maturity level and how he would handle being a professional athlete. And there were glimpses of that immaturity his rookie season. But it seemed as though Finley had put most of that behind him and was excelling both on and off the field in 2009.

Well, as they used to say in VH-1's Behind the Music: "Backstage, things were falling apart."

If you haven't already, be sure to read Greg Bedard's fantastic feature on Finley in this mornings Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. There are some interesting revelations, including the fact that Finley missed curfew the night before the playoff game against Arizona along with Finley's admission that he didn't exactly start this offseason in the best mindset.

The piece as a whole reads as though Finley's has 'put it all behind him' - talking to Bedard seems to be Finley's (and perhaps his agent's) attempt at erecting a monument in time, in the public record, where everyone from fans to his own teammates can point and say "THAT is where it all changed for Jermichael".

Myself, I come away thinking much along the lines that the Packers seem to be: It's great to hear it straight from Finley. Now lets see some action behind those words.

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Comments (18)
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Finley has made statement after statement that reeks of bone-headed-ness time and time again in his short time in GB... And this isn't the first time he's talked the talk about growing up and doing what needs to be done.

While it wasn't nearly as revealing as this most recent PR push, I'm pretty sure Finley gave the same song-and-dance before last season as well- talking about how immature he was his rookie year, how he thought he could just get by on talent, and that he learned from the Vets on the team that it takes dedication and serious commitment to make it in the NFL... And that was his focus going into the '09 football season, he'd turned a new leaf.

The only thing new this time is he went so far as to tell Bedard that his actions last season weren't in line with what he preached going in. Why would ANYONE believe a word out of his mouth this time?

Players and, of course, Agents are PR Savvy. None of this holds water until his actions follow suit. Dude is an awesome threat at TE for the Packers. Dude is also an arrogant knob.

For every finley, there's a Jordy Nelson, Gregg Jennings, Ryan Grant, Will Blackmon, etc and so forth.

Look, I understand the pitfalls of being young, rich and famous.. But there's an awful lot of young, rich and famous players out there who seem to have their heads screwed on the right direction.

I'm pulling for Finley as well- but a few statements with all the right things said isn't selling me on the change, especially since this is the second time in two seasons we've heard it. Really do hope he's getting it together, but preparing for disappointment.

I guess I'm not quite as cynical, but at the very least he's living in a glass bubble for the next two years while awaiting a big payday from either the Packers or highest alternative bidder. Even if he really is a bone-head he's now in a position to put up or shut up for the remainder of his rookie contract. I'll settle for at least 2 years of All Pro play.

I'm with CSS on this one -- frankly, if he continues to produce at the same rate as last year then I don't really care if he's late to a few meetings. And if missing curfew means 159 yard games then by all means, he can miss curfew before every game.

The fact is, he's not speaking out against his teammates like his rookie year and he's claiming that he wants to get past even the relatively minor transgressions of last year. Maybe it's BS, maybe it isn't. If it isn't he could be on the road to an even bigger season in 2010 and I don't see why anyone would have a problem at least hoping for that.

You guys are harsh. I believe him. He's turned a new leaf. He's only, what? 23? Most people take a lot longer than that to realize what's important. I just hope he spends a lot of time with his son. Nothing like watching your kids grow to set you on the right path.

The thing that I like the most about this is that he came out and said all of this without any type of altercation to spark it. To all of the people hating on JF if JF wouldn't have came out and said that he was late or missed curfew no one would have had any reason to hate on him. After 2008 he came out and said that he was going to grow up and be a better person/player... He grew up a lot from his rookie year... After 2009 he is saying that he is going to take that extra step to grow up even more... Gives me no reason not to believe him. I am 25 years old. I have grown up and got my life more on track in the last two years... something I could have cared less about at 21 or 22.

I am sure Aaron can post some video proof of #88 taking his frustration of not getting the ball during game one out on the Bears linemen, rather than calling out his teammates. He grew up on the field last year this is his year to grow up off the field.

Boy, does he make me nervous. He's got all the talent in the world, and his contract is up in two years. Who's to say that he'll be on the straight and narrow for the next two seasons, get a giant contract, and then change right back into the young guy who doesn't care?

I mean, that's almost what I get from that article. Yeah, I see the whole "I'm changed, I'm committed" stuff, but I also see the quip about the contract being up in two years.

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"I firmly believe that any man’s finest hour, the greatest fulfillment of all that he holds dear, is that moment when he has worked his heart out in a good cause and lies exhausted on the field of battle – victorious."